We need balance between trade and labor protection

Q: Your views on labor and environmental rights in trade agreements?

MOSELEY BRAUN: Isn't the issue really one of balance?
We can't afford to go the route of just protectionism that will jump-start a depression in this country nor can we afford to just give away the store, as has happened under this administration's leadership with our trade agreements.
You have to have environmental and labor standards and human rights standards in order to level the playing field for American companies so that we aren't hemorrhaging jobs as a result of our engagements with the rest of the world.
But to stand and tell the American people that protectionism will somehow or another keep jobs in this country is just not true.

Free trade must be fair trade

Q: Should we pull back on our international trade deals?

MOSELEY-BRAUN: We have to make certain that the globalization of trade does not create the exploitation of workers abroad and the hemorrhaging of jobs at home.
We have a responsibility to see to it that our country retains a vital and robust manufacturing base. If we can take the burden of health care off manufacturers, that will go a long way to resolving trade deficit issues.

Lack of labor standards passes along worker exploitation

[With regard to free trade], the whole idea is to create a partnership for prosperity between the government and the private sector. Let me suggest a slightly different way of looking at these international trading agreements. It's in the interest of
American firms to embrace the idea of labor and environmental and human rights standards, because, otherwise, not to embrace them, simply gives a price advantage to firms and countries that exploit workers, exploit the environment and take advantage of
that exploitation by passing it along in their price.

One of the reasons we have such difficulty is that we are making ourselves noncompetitive by allowing firms and other nations to enjoy the advantages, if you will, of exploiting the
environment and their workforce. We have to head for the deep integration of our markets. [I agree with] "Made in America and sold abroad," but sold under conditions in which the playing field is level and we do not allow others to take advantage of us.

Source: Debate at Pace University in Lower Manhattan
Sep 25, 2003

Voted NO on renewing 'fast track' presidential trade authority.

Vote to proceed to the bill which establishes negotiating objectives for trade agreements, and renews 'fast track' trade authority for the President, which allows Congress to adopt or to reject a proposed trade agreement, but not to amend it.

Voted YES on imposing trade sanctions on Japan for closed market.

Resolution supporting sanctions on Japanese products if car parts markets don't open up; and seeking sharp reductions in the trade imbalances in car sales and parts through elimination of restrictive Japanese market-closing practices.